Sunday, August 22, 2010

In case you are wondering why I missed a day of posting...it was because I was on a motorcycle road trip up to Lake George, NY. I'm going to share a little of my trip with you so that you will see some of the beauty that I did and meet some of the best friends a gal could have! Special thanks to Joan and Tim (aka Hazel) for the mapping out of the route for the trip!

It all started on Wednesday, August 18, 2010. We left home at about 7:30 am and headed north to pick up the first couple, Bart & Sue. We then proceeded to meet Joan and Tim. We ventured on every back road you can possibly imagine. We finally arrived in Lake George after 4:00 pm. This first picture is the view from our motel room.

Since most of the day on Wednesday was spent travelling, we decided to park the bikes and explore the Village of Lake George. We visited Duffy's Tavern and enjoyed some burgers and beer. We hit a couple of other hot spots in the village and then meandered back to the motel.

Thursday morning we rose to another beautiful sunny day and a 100 mile ride up to Ticonderoga and the surrounding area. Here are a few pics:

Tim, Joan, Bart, Sue, ME, hubby Paul

After our 100 mile journey, we stopped at a butt-kickin' BBQ restaurant called the Barnsider and enjoyed a scrumptous BBQ meal. We then headed back to the hotel to have a party on the deck.

Me Sue & Joan

Bart, Tim & hubby Paul

Every Thursday night there are fireworks on the Lake and we had front row seats!

Friday was a full-day of riding home. We decided to take a real scenic route and wound up driving on the Mohawk Trail. It was some of the most beautiful countryside I have ever seen! We stopped at the summit and posed for one last pic!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Here is another card that you will need your Stampin' Up! Heat Embossing Tool to complete! This is the card that I have created for my Founder's Circle swap! I have to make 135 of them!!!! Anyone want to help? lol

The base of the card is Basic Black Cardstock. I added a layer of Concord Crush and used the SU! emobssing folder called Vintage Wallpaper. The focal point utilizes the Just Believe stamp set. I stamped it in white ink and used white emobssing powder! The other colors include Daffodil Delight and Tangerine Tango

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Today's card was created using the Friend's Never Fade stamp set and a technique called emboss resist. You may recall, this is the same stamp set that this month's card kits utilize! This sample is made using Early Espresso, Pear Pizzazz, and Baha Breeze cardstocks. As well as one of the sheets of Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper. The focal point is stamped on Glossy White cardstock with VersaMark Ink and then covered with White Embossing Powder. Using a sponge dauber, I sponged Early Espresso, Pear Pizzazz, and Baha Breeze inks around the image. I used a tissue to wipe off excess ink and blend it all together! The words at the bottom come from a new stamp set called Word Play. The scalloped piece in the middle of the card was created using the new Scalloped Ribbon Border punch!

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Today I decided to showcase one of my favorite new products from the 2010-2011 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog...The Two-Step Owl (Extra Large) Punch!!

This card was inspired first by Heather Summers from Canada and most importantly a great customer of mine who has an undying love for owls; Jen McPherson!

The card was created using Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade, Early Espresso, Whisper White, Basic Black and Blushing Bride cardstocks and of course, the new two-step Owl Punch!!! I also used the sentiment from a new set called Word Play!

Some of you may be looking at this and say oh, that's great but how many owls can you use? Well let me tell you, there is more than meets the eye with this punch! Take a look at this little chart that shows you more ideas! Remember, think outside the box!!!

How about a boufant hair do? A tulip? An alien? Ghost? Bat? Penquin? Do you see anything else? Leave a comment on the Blog for me!!!!

Here is one more thing that I have done with my owl punch so far!

My cute little owl book mark! I am using it in my SU! Workshop Calendar! Would you like one? Host a workshop and I will give you one of these cuties!!

Can't wait for a workshop to get your owl punch? Use the convenient link below to purchase your punch! The cost (including the shipping/handling, and tax) is only $19.77!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Although I hate to admit it, Fall is right around the corner. I have been working hard in my stamp studio creating lots of projects to stock up before I go back to school. Not that I am in the Fall/Autumn mood, but I thought I should start putting together some Fall idea. When at convention we received a new stamp set called Paisley Prints. It will be available to you, as my customers, on September 1, 2010 when the new Holiday Mini Catalog comes out!!!

You are sooooooo going to love the new Holiday Mini Catalog. So much so that my S.A.M., Maxine and I both agree that there should just be a "Buy It All" button on the Stampin' Up! order entry screen!! Tomorrow I will post one more sample made with this stamp set!

Monday, August 9, 2010

This is another of the projects completed when I was at convention! It really is a genious idea! Using a small open end envelope, we created this card "pouch"!

The front is decorated with Designer Series Paper and a mulit-colored focal point using the new single stamp called, So Many Thanks - Item #120173. I used my marvelous markers (Early Espresso, Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, and Cherry Cobbler) to color directly on the stamp.

When the envelope is opened, this is a view from the point:

Before decorating the envelope, I sealed it and then cut a very small strip on each end to create an opening on both ends. I then used my 1-1/4" circle punch (with the envelope closed) to create a pull tab. The cards (3" x 3") that I created are tucked neatly into each side of the envelope!

Saturday, August 7, 2010

This card was created using the Tropical Party stamp set located in the Summer Mini Catalog! Remember, time is running out to order from this awesome mini catalog! All of the product in this mini will retired on September 30th!

The coconut on the front cover was created using three Big Shot Products.

Clear Circle Die - Page 207 - #114533 - $19.95

Square Lattice Emboss Folder - Page 214 - #119976 - $7.95

Simple Flower Embosslit - Page 215 - #114514 - $11.95

The card itself was created using an 8-1/2" x 11" piece of paper and cutting it in half long ways. It was scored at 2" and 7-1/2" from the top. The inside of the card contains a "slide" so that the fruity beverage can move from top to bottom of the card!

Friday, August 6, 2010

You've probably guessed by now that I am truly in LOVE with the new set called Just Believe! It is my FAVORITE set from the new Idea Book and Catalog. It is found on Page 109 of the catalog. I created this card using Night of Navy CS for the card itself. The next layer is Bashful Blue and the top layer is Watercolor Paper. Using my Old Olive, Bashful Blue, and Night of Navy markers, I colored the image directly on the rubber stamp. I then spritzed the stamp with water from a spray bottle and then stamped it on the watercolor paper! It gives the appearance of a watercolored image without the work of watercoloring! After cleaning the stamp well, I re-inked it in Bashful Blue ink to stamp the coordinating envelope! If you'd like to purchase this stamp set, email me directly at: stampthis2004@yahoo.com or use the paypal links below to purchase it!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

For quite some time now, my husband has been razzed or harassed by his colleagues at the Police Department about his "connection" to Stampin' Up! In July, we through a big Tiki themed party and of course I created the invitations. Here is a sample:

About a week or so ago, one of the officers that works with my husband called me to say he was having a summer party and wanted to know if I could make invitations for him. I thought about it for a minute and asked him how badly he wanted homemade invites? He said he would really like them so I countered with, "Only if you come and make them too!" He agreed and came willingly with his wife.

My husband and I thought about it a little bit and brainstormed an idea for their invites. Last Thursday, Shawn and his wife Lucy, came to our home and the four of us had our own little stampin gig! I also told him that taking photos and being part of my blog were part of the deal! He still agreed!!!! (Must have really wanted those hand-made invites!)

This first photo is of Shawn (left) and my husband, Paul (right) using the Colluzzle to cut life preservers for the front of the invites.

This next photo is Shawn's lovely wife, Lucy. This was her first Stampin' gig too! She got to stamp the front and inside of the invitations.

Shawn was so proud of himself!! He couldn't wait to show his finished products! In two short hours we hand made all of his invitations and addressed all of the envelopes!

Word on the street is there is another officer that is having a farewell to summer party and he wants invites too! I spoke with him yesterday and said that he has to follow Shawn's lead! He is thinking about it!!! I will keep you posted!

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Ok, I've been trying to figure out a way to organize myself so that when I am at a workshop and a customer asks me, "Where can I find the envelopes in this catalog?", I don't have to go flipping like a mad woman to find it! I don't know about you but just when I seem to know where everything is....it is time for a new catalog! So this is what I came up with. I know for most of you this will seem extreme; however, there are some of you out there that like to be organized too! lol

I went to Staples and had them cut the binding off of my catalog and put 3-hole binder holes in it! Before I went there, I went through the catalog and decided how I wanted to separate it. I purchased a clear separator sheet for each "section" and had Staples put 3-ring holes in it too. When I got home, I punched tabs using our XL Round-Tab Punch.

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About Me

I have been a SU! Demonstrator for a little more than 10 years. I have earned Demonstrator of the Year honors four years consecutive! In addition I am thrilled that I have been able to travel courtesy of Stampin' UP! I have been to the Southern Caribbean, Alaska, Disney World, FIJI and best of all Founder's Circle Retreat 4 times!! I want to thank all of my loyal customers and my downline for all of their support of me in my SU! business! I could NOT do this without ALL of you!